CARETAKER boss Phil Thompson says Liverpool's fans can roar them to their first title in 12 years.

Liverpool play six of their remaining nine Premiership games at home, starting tomorrow against Newcastle.

However, Anfield's reputation has taken something of a battering this season, with some justification.

The fortress has been under siege from within. Liverpool have lost or drawn more home games than they've won, while in the stands you're more likely to see sections of support arguing with each other than their rivals.

Players such as Danny Murphy, Jamie Carragher and Vladimir Smicer have taken more stick from their own supporters than the visitors.

And should, perish the thought, Liverpool only be drawing a home match with 20 minutes left it's as if a panic button has been pressed around the stands as anxiety transmits onto the pitch. The support stops and the barracking gets louder.

While it's true a sense of frustration at Liverpool's lack of goals and flowing football at home has undoubtedly contributed to this, Thompson hopes the next six games will see a return to the days of old in more ways than one.

Thompson knows more than anyone the pivotal role a packed Anfield can play and has called for a wall of noise and a sense of patience to become the norm in the final straight.

Liverpool have just six home games left in the Premiership. Putting all the frustration aside for the sake of two months surely isn't too much to ask?

"Every home game can't be like Manchester United or a derby match but we need the fans with us, to be patient and to be vociferous. If this is seen as some kind of a rally cry, so be it," said Thompson today.

"I know the supporters will urge us on and if they are at their noisiest for the last six home league games it will help the team and get us what we all want, which is the Premiership title.

"I know from experience when the Anfield crowd is in full voice what a stimulus it is for the players."

There have been concerns during the course of the season that certain players are being made scapegoats for Liverpool's lack of home victories.

The Murphy and Carragher incidents were well documented at the time. Smicer is the latest player to be targeted.

Although the Czech player has been far from impressive in recent games, his confidence won't be helped if the first wayward pass is met with a crescendo of moans.

While it's perfectly obvious the disaffected are in the minority, it's important for the rest, such as those magnificent travelling supporters who've been inspirational all season, to outshout the dissenters. And if the Anfield PA can play "You'll Never Walk Alone" in the right place for the first time in two years it would help too!

Thompson is hopeful the majority of supporters will dictate the atmosphere in the remaining games, sticking behind a player even if things are visibly not going well.

"The players need everyone behind them individually and collectively for this final push," Thompson added.

"It doesn't always go well in a game for 90 minutes. The opposition is always going to have a good spell so people become anxious. I would urge those people who may get impatient to have a rethink."

Given Liverpool's brilliant away form, the title could be decided at Anfield.